Environmental Principles Policy Statement published

Environmental Principles Policy Statement published - Defra

The statement will embed protections and enhancements for the environment in government policy-making.

A new legally-binding policy statement, published today, will embed protections and enhancements for the environment in all government policy-making.

The statement will guide ministers across government towards opportunities to prevent environmental damage whilst supporting innovation and sustainable development, in line with five internationally recognised principles. This will ensure the environment is embedded into the design and development of the Government’s work.

Following a public consultation, the Government has listened to feedback and strengthened the policy statement in a number of areas, including:

ensuring there is clarity on the need to consider opportunities for environmental enhancement;
emphasising the importance of embedding the environmental principles right from the outset; and
recognising policy can have both a positive and negative influence on the environment.

Today’s publication marks the next step in the delivery of the Environment Act, after setting out the strategic priorities for Ofwat to make water companies do more to protect the environment, and consulting on legally-binding environmental targets on air quality, biodiversity, water and waste & resource efficiency.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “Our environmental principles will ensure we put the environment at the heart of the Government’s work across Whitehall. Ministers will have a duty under the Environment Act to consider opportunities to protect and enhance the environment, ensuring that we leave it in a better state for future generations.”